The rainy season has begun, and everyone longs to stay cozy in the comfort of their own homes. While the rain pours outside, imagine waking up to the aroma of freshly prepared food lovingly made by your mother or wife. It’s the ultimate feeling of home.
But what if you’re far from home and still crave that comforting, homey experience? In the busy city of Makati, a Filipino restaurant in Legaspi Village called Abuela’s can feed both your soul and your tummy with the warmth of home.
“Abuela” means “grandmother” in Spanish, which reflects the heart of their dishes — traditional recipes passed down through generations. However, these familiar flavors now come with a delightful modern twist.
Appetizer
Chicken Wings
This is not your ordinary chicken wings — these are Spanish-style buffalo wings served with chorizo and olives. The flavor leans toward the salty side, offering a unique twist on the classic dish.
Kilawin
The Kilawin has a subtle touch of tangy because it has done the Negros way plus topped with coconut milk.
Bone Marrow with Truffled Chimichurri and Onion Mango Jam
To truly elevate your appetizer experience, try the Bone Marrow with Truffled Chimichurri and Onion Mango Jam. The exciting part of this dish is scraping the rich, roasted bone marrow, pairing it with the fragrant truffled chimichurri, and topping it off on a slice of humble toasted bread with a touch of mango jam.
It’s a delightful burst of flavors — a unique treat for your palate. Highly recommended!
Abuela’s Entrees
Mechado Stuffed with Iberico Chorizo
The Mechado stuffed with Iberico Chorizo is not only delicious but also visually stunning, thanks to the towering dried squid ink garnish. Yes, that impressive piece of art is edible!
This dish features foie gras and Iberico, a premium ham produced in Spain and Portugal, making it a truly special and indulgent treat.
Jojo’s Filipino Curry Prawns with Crab Fat Sauce
Jojo’s Filipino Curry Prawns with Crab Fat Sauce is an enticing dish featuring grilled prawns served with a rich Southern Filipino crab fat curry. This flavorful creation boasts a delightful buttery taste, making it a must-try for seafood lovers.
Pinangat
The Pinangat is a fish meat and crab meat wrapped in gabi leaves. Drowned in coconut milk sauce, and a little salty, the right word for this dish is overindulgent of cholesterol.
Abuela’s Bagnet
The perfect slice of the pork is simply irresistible. Their Bagnet is not oily and the crunchiness does not hurt or test your jaw. The meat is good itself and it was the best when dipped with the Thai sauce.
You might want to check out Bagneto near Maginhawa Street in Quezon City if you want to have variations of bagnet dishes.
Dessert
Their dessert is still on its plating game. The Molten Lava Cake and the Green Tea Cheesecakeare also scene-stealer. Both of them are decadent, well-flavored and rich but the Molten Lava Cake is moister.
Abuela’s Molten Lava Cake
Abuela’s Green Tea Cheesecake
Located on the second floor of Somerset, Abuela’s can be easy to miss when strolling around Legaspi Village. The restaurant offers a spacious interior with dim lighting that creates an elegant yet homey ambiance.
If you’re looking for a venue for corporate events, Abuela’s has a function room that can accommodate up to 25 people with a minimum consumable of ₱20,000.
While the prices may not be budget-friendly, the beautiful presentation of their dishes justifies the cost. The waitstaff are accommodating, though their approach leans more toward casual than formal.
Overall, the food is satisfying, but it’s the modern twist on traditional flavors that makes Abuela’s a place you’ll want to return to.
Ambiance: 5/5
Price: 3.5/5
Serving: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Taste: 4/5
Abuela’s Address: Second Floor, Somerset Millenium Makati, 104 Aguirre Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
Call (02) 8052713
abuelasmanila@gmail.com
Makati, a Filipino restaurant
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post but not swayed to write positive reviews. All thoughts and opinion are my own. Thanks for not judging the quality of the photo. I forgot to bring my camera.
